Vibration absorbing device fro golf club head

ABSTRACT

A golf club head includes a body having at least one assembling hole in which a weight is engaged. The weight includes a head and a shank, and at least one engaging surface is provided on the weight for engaging with the assembling hole. At least one vibration absorbing section is partially formed on the engaging surface to provide enhanced vibration absorbing effect while providing various visual presentation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a vibration absorbing device for a golf club head and, more particularly, to a vibration absorbing device for a golf club head with enhanced vibration absorbing effect.

2. Description of Related Art

Taiwan Patent No. 1250039 discloses a golf club head including a body having at least one assembling hole for receiving a damper. The damper includes a head and a shank having a receptacle defined therein for receiving a vibration absorbing member for absorbing vibration resulting from striking a golf ball. In practice, the vibration is transmitted from a peripheral wall defining the assembling hole of the body to outer peripheries (i.e., the engaging surfaces) of the head and the shank of the damper and then to the vibration absorbing member in the damper. As a result, odd sounds are generated between the body and the damper before the vibration is absorbed by the vibration absorbing member. Furthermore, the vibration absorbing member is received in the receptacle of the damper and, hence, cannot provide various visual presentation of the golf club head.

It is therefore a need in an improved vibration absorbing device for a golf club head that obviates odd sound during striking.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a vibration absorbing device for a golf club head including a weight having an engaging surface engaged with an assembling hole in a body of the golf club head. At least one vibration absorbing section is formed on the engaging surface of the weight to effectively absorb the vibration, thereby enhancing the vibration absorbing effect and reducing odd sound during striking.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vibration absorbing device for a golf club head, wherein the body includes a head having plurality of receptacles for receiving a plurality of vibration absorbing sections to enhance the vibration absorbing effect.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a vibration absorbing device for a golf club head, wherein the vibration absorbing sections are exposed at an outer surface of the head of the weight to provide a various visual presentation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A golf club head in accordance with the present invention includes a body having at least one assembling hole in which a weight is engaged. The weight includes a head and a shank, and at least one engaging surface is provided on the weight for engaging with the assembling hole. At least one vibration absorbing section is partially formed on the engaging surface. Enhanced vibration absorbing effect and various visual presentation are provided.

The assembling hole is defined in at least one of a sole, side, back, toe, and heel of the body.

The head of the weight may include a plurality of receptacles, and the vibration absorbing section may include a plurality of cylindrical vibration absorbing portions respectively received in the receptacles. Each receptacle may or may not extend through the head of the weight. In an example, the head of the weight includes an exposed, outer face and an inner face from which the shank extends, and each receptacle extends from the exposed, outer face through the inner face of the head of the weight.

The vibration absorbing section may include a flange-shaped vibration absorbing portion on a bottom of the head of said at least one weight.

The vibration absorbing section may include an annular vibration absorbing portion formed around an outer periphery of the shank of said at least one weight. Preferably, the annular vibration absorbing portion includes outer threading on an outer periphery thereof.

Preferably, the head of the weight includes a tool coupling portion for coupling with a tool for mounting the weight in the assembling hole.

Preferably, the vibration absorbing section is made of a material selected from at least one of a group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester resin, polycarbonate, nylon resin, fluorocarbon resin, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin, polyacetals, epoxy resin, unsaturated polyester resin, polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomer, and thermoplastic polyurethane.

The weight may be in the form of a screw body, and the assembling hole includes inner threading.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of this invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view, partly exploded, of a head of a wooden club with a vibration absorbing device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view, partly exploded, of a head of an iron club with a plurality of vibration absorbing devices in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a weight of the vibration absorbing device in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the weight of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a golf club head in accordance with the present invention includes a body 1 and at least one weight 2. The body 1 can be made of metal such as carbon steel, stainless steel, alloy steel, Fe—Mn—Al alloy, or non-metal material such as carbon fiber. The body 1 can be made by casting, forging, machining, etc. The body 1 can be of wooden type (see the club head in FIG. 1), iron type (see the club head in FIG. 2), or putter type. At least one assembling hole 11 is defined in at least one of the sole, side, back, toe, and heel of the body 1 for assembly with the weight 2. In the example of FIG. 1, an assembling hole 11 is defined in a rear portion of the sole of the body 1 of a head of a wooden club. In the example of FIG. 2, three assembling holes 11 are defined in the back of the body 1 of a head of an iron club, and a weight 2 is received in each assembling hole 11. Preferably, an inner periphery defining the assembling hole 11 includes an inner thread (not labeled) for threading connection with the weight 2.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the weight 2 may have any desired shape for coupling with the assembling hole 11 of the body 1. The weight 2 may be in the shape of screw body; namely, the weight 2 has an outline of a screw. The weight 2 is made of a material the same as or different from that of the body 1, including metal, alloy, or non-metal material. Suitable materials for the weight 2 include but not limited to aluminum, titanium, steel, tungsten, iron, nickel and alloys thereof. Suitable iron alloys for the weight 2 include but not limited to carbon steel, stainless steel, alloy steel, and Fe—Mn—Al alloy. The specific weight of the weight 2 may be greater than, equal to, or smaller than that of the body 1, depending on the product needs.

The weight 2 includes a head 21 and a shank 22. The head 21 includes at least one tool coupling portion 211, at least one receptacle 212, at least one cylindrical vibration absorbing portion 213, and a flange-shaped vibration absorbing portion 214. The tool coupling portion 211 can be coupled with a tool for mounting the weight 2 in the assembling hole 11 of the body 1. The tool coupling portion 211 may be in the form of a groove that is rectilinear, cruciform, square, polygonal, or irregular in section.

Still referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the head 21 includes an exposed, outer face and an inner face from which the shank 22 extends. The receptacles 212 of the head 21 extend from the exposed, outer face through the inner face of the head 21. In an alternative example, the receptacles 212 include a certain depth in the head 21 without extending through the inner face of the head 21. The cross section of the receptacles 212 may be square, polygonal, or irregular. The cylindrical vibration absorbing portions 213 are respectively received in the receptacles 212. The flange-shaped vibration absorbing portion 214 is formed on a bottom of the head 21. The cylindrical vibration absorbing portions 213 may or may not connect to the flange-shaped vibration absorbing portion 214.

Still referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the shank 22 includes an annular vibration absorbing portion 221 formed around an outer periphery of the shank 22. Preferably, the annular vibration absorbing portion 221 includes outer threading on an outer periphery thereof for threading connection with the assembling hole 11 of the body 1. The annular vibration absorbing portion 221 may or may not be connected to the flange-shaped vibration absorbing portion 214. In the preferred form shown, the cylindrical vibration absorbing portions 213, the flange-shaped vibration absorbing portion 214, and the annular vibration absorbing portion 221 together form a vibration absorbing section (not labeled). It can be appreciated that the vibration absorbing section may include only one or two of these three vibration absorbing portions 213, 214, and 221. The vibration absorbing section is made of a material selected from at least one of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyester resin (PE), polycarbonate (PC), nylon resin, fluorocarbon resin, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin (ABS), polyacetals, epoxy resin, unsaturated polyester resin, polyurethane (PU), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or other macromolecular elastomeric materials. Preferably, the vibration absorbing section is made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The cylindrical vibration absorbing portions 213, the flange-shaped vibration absorbing portion 214, and the annular vibration absorbing portion 221 may be formed by injection molding in the receptacle 212 of the head 21, on the bottom of the head 21, and on the outer periphery of the shank 22, respectively. Furthermore, the flange-shaped vibration absorbing portion 214 and the annular vibration absorbing portion 221 are formed on at least one engaging surface of the weight 2 that is engaged with the assembling hole 11 of the body 1.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, in assembly, a tool is utilized to couple with the tool coupling portion 211 of the weight 2 for mounting the weight 2 in the body 1 by threading connection between the outer threading of the annular vibration absorbing portion 221 of the weight 2 and the inner threading of the assembling hole 11 of the body 1. A golf club head is, thus, formed after assembly of the body 1 and the weight 2.

When striking a golf ball with a golf club head according to the preferred teachings of the present invention, at least one of the cylindrical vibration absorbing portions 213, the flange-shaped vibration absorbing portion 214, and the annular vibration absorbing portion 221 of the weight 2 absorbs vibration resulting from striking to reduce odd sound. The vibration absorbing effect is better than conventional vibration absorbing device, for at least one portion of the vibration absorbing section (i.e., the cylindrical vibration absorbing portions 213, the flange-shaped vibration absorbing portion 214, and the annular vibration absorbing portion 221) is formed on the engaging surface of the weight 2. Furthermore, the cylindrical vibration absorbing portions 213 and the weight 2 have a larger contact area therebetween to provide enhanced vibration absorbing effect and enhanced bonding effect. Furthermore, the engaging surface of the weight 2 engaged with the body 1 includes at least one of the cylindrical vibration absorbing portion 213, the flange-shaped vibration absorbing portion 214, and the annular vibration absorbing portion 221, which further enhances the vibration absorbing effect and reduces odd sound. Furthermore, the receptacles 212 of the head 21 may be of different diameters, and the outer ends of the cylindrical vibration absorbing portions 213 exposed at the outer face of the head 21 may have different colors to provide various visual presentations, thereby beautifying the appearance of the golf club head. Furthermore, the specific weights of the materials for the weight 2 and the vibration absorbing section and the location of the weight 2 can be selected to adjust the center of gravity of the whole golf club head, thereby increasing the moments of inertia (MOI) during striking. Furthermore, the weight 2 can be detached and replaced with another weight of a different weight and/or vibration absorbing effect when desired, providing convenient assembly and flexible application.

As apparent from the foregoing, the vibration absorbing device according to the preferred teachings of the present invention solves the problems of the conventional vibration absorbing device for a golf club head by providing enhanced vibration effect while reducing odd sound and providing convenient assembly, flexible application of weights, and ornamentation.

While the principles of this invention have been disclosed in connection with specific embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that these descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, and that any modification and variation without departing the spirit of the invention is intended to be covered by the scope of this invention defined only by the appended claims. 

1. A golf club head comprising: a body comprising at least one assembling hole; at least one weight engaged in said at least one assembling hole and each including a head and a shank, and said weight includes at least one engaging surface for engaging with said at least one assembling hole; and at least one vibration absorbing section being partially formed on said at least one engaging surface.
 2. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the head of said at least one weight includes a plurality of receptacles, and wherein said at least one vibration absorbing section includes a plurality of cylindrical vibration absorbing portions respectively received in the receptacles.
 3. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one vibration absorbing section includes a flange-shaped vibration absorbing portion on a bottom of the head of said at least one weight.
 4. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one vibration absorbing section includes an annular vibration absorbing portion formed around an outer periphery of the shank of said at least one weight.
 5. The golf club head as claimed in claim 4, wherein the annular vibration absorbing portion includes outer threading on an outer periphery thereof.
 6. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the head of said at least one weight includes a tool coupling portion adapted to couple with a tool for mounting said at least one weight in said at least one assembling hole.
 7. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one vibration absorbing section is made of a material selected from at least one of a group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester resin, polycarbonate, nylon resin, fluorocarbon resin, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin, polyacetals, epoxy resin, unsaturated polyester resin, polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomer, and thermoplastic polyurethane.
 8. The golf club head as claimed in claim 2, wherein each said receptacle extends through the head of said at least one weight.
 9. The golf club head as claimed in claim 2, wherein each said receptacle does not extend through the head of said at least one weight.
 10. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one assembling hole is defined in at least one of the sole, side, back, toe, and heel of the body.
 11. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one weight is in a form of a screw body, and wherein said at least one assembling hole includes inner thread.
 12. The golf club head as claimed in claim 2, wherein the head of said at least one weight includes an exposed, outer face and an inner face from which the shank extends, and wherein each said receptacle extends from the exposed, outer face through the inner face of the head of said at least one weight. 